Convertible chair lounge



Oct. 12, 1954 D CONVERTIBLE CHAIR LOUNGE Filed Sept. 18, 1951 v 2Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. dean/V052 U. 001:5

Oct. 12, 1954 A. .1. DUKE CONVERTIBLE CHAIR LOUNGE 2 Sheets-Shget 2Filed Sept. 18, 1951 INVENTOR. 14LEZ4NDE2 J DUKE Q4170 ruff-5 PatentedOct. 12, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CONVERTIBLE CHAIR LOUNGEAlexander J. Duke, Los Angeles, Calif. Application September 18, 1-951,Serial No. 247,175

12 Claims.

My invention relates generally to articles of furniture that may bedescribed as convertible chair lounges, and more particularly to such anarticle that, in its folded or closed position, resembles a backlesschair or ottoman, and in its unfolded or open position, has a generalsimilarity to a reclining chair or lounge.

For many years, the comfort and relaxation secured by sinking into awell upholstered chair, and raising ones feet and legs upon an ottoman,have been well known. However, comfortable chairs of this type are quitebulky, and the provision of an ottoman or footstool requires even morespace. With the trend toward smaller homes, and particularly in the caseof apartments, it has been difficult to provide space for such aso-called easy chair, and consequently such chairs are less frequentlyseen.

However, more recently there has been an interest in chairs that supporta person in a more or less reclining position, such chairs supportingthe legs and feet, as well as the neck and head of the occupant.Particularly, from the standpoint of comfort and relaxation, such chairsare superior to the former easy chair and ottoman, but the newerreclining chairs suffer from the disadvantage that they requiresubstantially the same floor space as the previously discarded easychair and ottoman. Furthermore, while the ottoman could be removed fromits position in front of the chair and placed in a more convenientlocation when not in use, the newer reclining chairs do not have thisadvantage, and

thus require a large amount of floor space at all times.

Despite the materially greater space requirements of the newer recliningchairs, they are quite popular, for they offer a comfort and relaxationnot possible with other forms of chairs or lounges. Additionally, withthe increasing popularity of television there is a greater demand forreclining chairs that permit a more prone position than the previousstyles of chairs that were intended for a more upright position, such asis desired when reading. The space requirements of reclining chairs,however, together with their relatively high cost, have prevented theuse of such chairs from becoming as popular and widespread as they mightbe.

It is therefore a major object of my invention to provide an article offurniture that may be described as a chair lounge that overcomes most ofthe principal objections to the prior forms of reclining chairs.

Another object of my invention is to provide 2 a chair lounge that holdsan occupant in a comfortable and relaxing position, adjusting itself tohis body and position, While offering the necessary support therefor.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a chair lounge of thistype that, when not in use as a reclining seat or lounge, may easily befolded into a smaller space and then appear, and be used as a backlesschair or seat.

A further object of my invention is to provide a chair lounge havingthese advantages that may be manufactured and sold at a very low cost,approximating that of a more or less conventional chair.

It is a still further object of my invention to provide a chair loungethat is an attractive piece of furniture, lending itself to almost anyscheme of decorating, and capable of being constructed of anyconventional furniture and upholstery materials.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will becomeapparent from the following description of a preferred form thereof, andfrom the drawings illustrating that form, in

' which:

shown in Fig. 1 in its unfolded or reclining position;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view, taken from the opposite side, and similarto Fig. 2, with the cushion removed to show the construction of thechair lounge;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the cushion, removed from the chairlounge, and with the head or upper end of the cushion on the right;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the chair lounge in itsunfolded position;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view thereof, showing the chairlounge illustrated in Fig. 5 in its folded position;

Fig. '7 is a cross-sectional view through the device in its foldedposition, taken on the line !-1 of Fig. 6; and

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary enlarged view, taken in the area 8 of Fig. 5,showing the method of connecting the cushion to the frame of the chairlounge.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to Figs. 1 through 4thereof, it will be seen that my improved chair lounge Ill includes abase portion ll that provides support for the head and arms of theoccupant, and a movable section I2 that provides support for the legsand feet of the occupant. The movable section I2 is connected to thebase portion II by a pair of pivoted links I3, and a cushion It extendsfrom the upper extremity of the base portion II to the opposite end ofthe movable section I2. The cushion It extends over the upper surface ofthe movable section I2 to provide a comfortable support for the lowerlegs of the occupant, and from the rear edge of the movable section thecushion curves downwardly and then upwardly to the upper portion of thebase portion I I, thus forming a hammock-like or freely suspendedportion of the cushion that supports the upper legs, back, and head ofthe occupant.

When the chair lounge is in its folded position, as indicated in Fig; 1,the portion of the cushion I4 extending over the upper surface of themovable section I2 acts as a padded seat,

while the opposite end of the cushion, at the uppermost part of the baseportion I I, acts as a ridge or partial back, thereby forming, ineffect, a cushioned backless chair or seat.

Considering the construction of the base portion II in somewhat greaterdetail, it will be seen that this portion includes a pair of L- shapedside members I5 held in spaced parallel relationship by a bottom It anda back I'I. At the upper ends of the side members I5, I provide a crossmember I8 that, because of its position, may be designated as aheadboard. The upper and lower surfaces of the headboard I8 arepreferably curved, as indicated in Figs. 5 and 6, and preferably aresubstantially flush or recessed inwardly a slight distance from thecorresponding edges of the side members I5.

At the corners of the base portion H, I prefer to mount slide means orbuttons 29 that enable the chair to be moved over the rug or floor moreeasily. However, while these slides are very convenient and helpful,they are by no means essential to the design and construction of myimproved chair lounge.

On the outside of each side member I5, and projecting above the uppersurface of the forwardly projecting part thereof, I mount arms 2| of anyconvenient and comfortable shape and size. These arms, as will becomeapparent, act to support the arms of the occupant of the chair,

.and additionally conceal the junction 01' dividing line between thebase portion I I and the movable section I2 when the latter is in itsfolded position. The arms 2I may be decorated or shaped, as desired, inkeeping with the styling of the chair, and provide a more comfortablesupport for the arms of the occupant than the narrow surface provided bythe relatively thin material forming the side sections I5.

The links I3 extending between the base portion II and the movablesection I2 are pivotally connected to the lower forward ends of the sidemembers I5 on the inner surfaces thereof, and extend to the upperrearward corners of the movable section. The links I3 are preferablyslightly curved, in keeping with the general lines of the chair lounge,and preferably a cross-piece 22 extends between the links to hold themparallel at all times.

. The movable section I2 is of generally box-like construction, andincludes a pair of side members 23 held in spaced parallel relationshipby a top member 24 and a front member 25. Preferably, the side members23 of the movable section I2 are spaced the same distance apart as theside members I5 of the base portion II, in this way providing positiveand rigid support for the movable section I2 when the latter is in itsfolded position. In this connection, it will be realized that the arms2I act to prevent any lateral displacement of the movable section I2,thereby preventing the side members 23 from moving off the supportingside members I5 of the base portion II. The links I3 act in the samemanner, and consequently the movable section If is firmly held so that arigid seat or backless chair is provided.

It will be noted that the front cross member 25 does not extend upwardlythe entire height of the movable section I2, but instead extends partway. Parallel to the cross member 25 and spaced a slight distance fromit is a cross-piece 26 that, because of its location, is designated afoot board. The upper surface of the foot board 26 is preferably alignedwith the upper surface of the top 24, and the upper and lower surfacesof the foot board are curved to present a rounded surface over which thecushion I6 may be wrapped. In this manner, the entire forward surface ofthe movable section I2 is closed, except for a horizontally extendingslot 21 between the cross-piece 25 and the foot board 26.

In a similar manner, the headboard I8 is separated a slight distancefrom the back IT to provide a slot 30, and the ends of the cushion I4extend through the respective slots, as illustrated in Figs. 5 through8. In this manner, a very simple and effective means for anchoring thecushion I4 may be provided.

As will become apparent from an inspection of the drawing, the majorportion of the cushion I5 is freely suspended from the headboard I8 tothe rearward edge of the movable section 23 approximately aligned withthe knees of the occupant. Thus, aside from the weight of the lower legsand feet of the occupant, his entire body is suspended by the cushionit. As a result, it is necessary that the cushion I l be firmly anchoredin order to provide the necessary support. While various methods ofanchoring the cushion It may be used, I have found one simple and verysatisfactory means to include the wrapping of the ends of the cushionabout the headboard I8 and foot board 26 in a manner to provide asnubhing action. To further secure the cushion M, the ends thereof areplaced through the slots 21 and 30 as previously mentioned, and the padthen turned upwardly, against the inner surface of the correspondingheadboard 18 or foot board 26, and held thereto by suitable fasteners ofany desired type, such as snap fasteners 38, as illustrated in Fig. 8.Preferably, the cushion It is first attached to the headboard I8, in themanner just described, and the opposite end of the cushion is thenconnected to the foot board 26, whereby access may easily be had to therear surface thereof by raising the movable member 23 without pivotingthat member about the links I3.

The cushion I4 is preferably formed of a suitable upholstery-typematerial, and the back of the cushion is preferably one having a hightensile strength. Between the front or outer material and. the back orhigh tensile strength material, I provide padding of any suitable type,such as curled hair, sponge rubber, kapok, etc. Depending upon the typeof material used, suitable means, such as the well known buttons, may beused to retain the padding in the desired position. It is also possible,if desired, to use a cushion I4 formed in the general manner of a nh I:

pneumatic mattress or pad, though in all cases, the cushion should bequite resilient, and soft enough to conform to the body of the occupant.

. To complete the chair lounge, I provide a door or closure member 32attached to the forward edge of the base portion II and pivoted at thelower edge thereof. The door 32 is preferably held by spring hinges 33,these hinges acting to close the door to its vertical position. In thismanner, when the chair lounge is in its closed or folded position, thedoor 32 extends upwardly in a plane substantially aligned with the planeof the cross member 25 of the movable section I2. As a result, the chairlounge presents an attractive appearance, with the interior constructioncovered and protected from dirt and dust.

' When the chair lounge is in its unfolded position, the links I3 bearagainst the inner or adjacent surface of the door 32 and pivot the doorto a'substantially horizontal position, as indicated in Figs. 2, 3 and5. Because of the spring hinges 33, the door 32 automatically returns toits closed or vertical position when the movable section I2 of the chairlounge is returned to its closed position, shown in Fig. 6.

When the chair lounge I0 is in its folded position, indicated in Figs. 1and 6, the movable section I2 is on top of the base portion II, and theforward end of the cushion I4 extends across the upper surface of themovable portion to provide the appearance and feeling of an upholsteredseat. The headboard I8 preferably extends above the plane of the seatportion formed by the top 24, and the upper or head end of the cushionI4 is curved around the headboard to provide a cushioned ridge at therear of the seat. The height of the seat portion is substantially equalto that of the seat of a conventional chair, and consequently, when inits folded position, the chair lounge I0 may be used as a backless seator chair.

To unfold the chair lounge I0 and convert it into a reclining chair, theforward edge of the movable section I2 is lifted slightly and pulledforwardly, thus pivoting the movable section about the links I3, and thelinks in turn being pivoted with respect to the base portion II. As thelinks I3 are pivoted forwardly, the movable section I2 is lowered untilit rests upon the floor or other supporting surface, in front of thebase portion II. It is conceivable that if excessive weight were placedupon the rear edge of the movable section I2, the latter might be forceddownwardly, pivoting about the links I3, and raising the forward end ofthat section. To preventthis, and also to assist in rendering it easy toopen the chair lounge to its extended position, the links I3 areprovided with stops that limit their movement with respect to themovable section I2. While various means may be used, I have found thatby providing notches 34 in the upper forward ends of the links, thesenotches fitting against the top 24 of the movable section I2, or a brace35 at the rear end thereof, very satisfactory results are obtained.

As the movable section I2 is placed in its extended position, thecushion I4 is caused to assume its hammock-like suspended position,shown in Figs. 2 and 5. It will be realized, of course, that the cushionI4 must be formed in a manner to provide a readily flexible device,since the cushion is intended to conform itself to the body of theoccupant of the chair, rather than requiringthe occupant to conformhimself to the shape 6 of the cushion. Additionallmas seen Fig. 6. thecushion I4 is folded into a rather small-space when the movable sectionI2 is placed on top of the base portion I I.

From the foregoing, it will'be seenthat I have provided a novel anduseful chair lounge that is fully capable of securing the objects andachieving the advantages heretofore set forth. The device isparticularly well adapted for use in apartments and homes where space isat a premium,

and where the use of the large, non-foldable reclining chairs raisesdifficult problems. Additionally, it will be found by many people thatthe use I of my improved chair lounge enables them to view televisionwith greater comfort than heretofore possible, since in addition totheir being in a more comfortable and relaxed position, the screen ofthe average television receiver will be slightly above the eye level ofthe occupantof the chair, so that the occupant looks up, as in a motionpicture theatre, instead of down.

' While I have shown and described a preferred form of my invention, itwill be apparent that modifications may be made therein that do notdepart from the broad concept thereof. Consequently, I do not wish to berestricted to the particular form or arrangement of parts hereindescribed and shown, except as covered by my appended claims.

I claim:

1. A convertible chair lounge of the class described which includes: abase portion open at the top having spaced side members and a backextending above the remainder of said'base; a movable section havingspaced side members and a top; a pivotal link connecting said movablesection to said base portion for selective movement of said section froman extended position in front of said portion and substantially spacedtherefrom to a folded position thereon; and a cushion extending from theupper portion of said back of said base portion,'across said top of saidmovable section, to the forward edge thereof in all positions of saidsection.

2. A convertible chair lounge of the class described which includes: abase portion open at the top, having spaced side members and a backextending above the remainder of said base; a movable section havingspaced side members and a top; a pivotal link connecting said movablesection tosaid base portion for selective movement of said section froma position in front of said portion and spaced therefrom, to a positionon said side members of said base portion and in front of said back,said movable section being generally parallel to the floor or supportingsurface in both of said positions; and a cushion extending from theupper portion of said back of said base portion, across said top of saidmovable section, to the forward edge thereof.

3. A convertible chair lounge of the class described which includes: abase portion open at the top, having spaced side members and a backextending above the remainder of said base; a movable section havingspaced side members and a top; a pivotal link connecting said movablesection to said base portion for selective movement of said section froman extended position in front of said portion to a folded positionresting thereon; and a cushion located between said side members of saidbase, extending from the upper portion of said back of said baseportion, across said top of said movable section, to the forward edgethereof, a portion of said cushion hanging freely suspended between saidupper portion of said back and the rear of said top when said movablesection is in its extended position, and said portion of said cushionbeing folded in the space between said movable section and said sidesand back of said base portion when said movable section is in its foldedposition.

4. A convertible chair lounge of the class described which includes: abase portion open at the top, having spaced side members and a backextending above the remainder of said base; a movable section havingspaced side members and a top; a pivotal link connecting said movablesection to said base portion for selective movement of said section froman extended position in front of said portion and resting on the samesupporting surface as said portion, to a folded position on said portionwith said sides of said base portion supporting said sides of saidmovable section in front of said back; and a cushion located betweensaid side members of said base, extending from the upper portion of saidback of said base portion, across said top of said movable section, tothe forward edge thereof, a portion of said cushion hanging freelysuspended between said upper portion of said back and the rear of saidtop when said movable section is in its extended position, and saidportion of said cushion being folded in the space between said movablesection and said sides and back of said base portion when said movablesection is in its folded position.

5. A convertible chair lounge of the class described which includes: abase portion open at the top, having spaced side members, a back,located therebetween, a bottom extending between said side members, anda headboard above and generally aligned with said back and connected tosaid side members; a movable section having spaced side members and atop; a pivotal link connecting said movable section to said base portionfor selective movement of said section from an extended position infront of said portion and substantially spaced therefrom, to a foldedposition thereon; and a cushion extending from said headboard, acrosssaid top of said movable section, to the forward edge thereof in allpositions of said section.

6. A convertible chair lounge of the class described which includes: abase portion open at the top, having spaced side members and a back; amovable section having spaced side members, a top, a forward wall, and afoot board spaced above and generally aligned with said forward wall,the corresponding side members of said base portion and said movablesection being substantially coplanar; a pivotal link connecting saidmovable section to said base portion for selective movement of saidsection from an extended position in front of said portion to a foldedposition thereon; and a cushion extending from the upper portion of theback of said back portion, across said top of said movable section, tothe space between said foot board and said forward wall.

7. A. convertible chair lounge of the class described which includes: abase portion open at the'top, having spaced side members; a back, abottom extending between said side members, and a headboard spaced aboveand generally aligned with said back; a movable section having spacedside members, a top, a forward wall, and a foot board spaced above andgenerally aligned with said forward wall, the corresponding side membersof said base portion and said movable section being substantiallycoplanar; a pivotal link connecting said movable section to said baseportion for selective movement of said section from a position in frontof said portion and spaced therefrom, to a position on said side membersof said base portion and in front of said back, said movable sectionbeing generally parallel to the floor or supporting surface in both ofsaid positions; and a cushion extending from said headboard, across saidtop of said movable section, to the space between said foot board andsaid forward wall.

8. A convertible chair lounge of the class described which includes: abase portion open at the top, having spaced side members, a back, abottom extending between said side members, and a headboard spaced aboveand generally aligned with said back; a movable section having spacedside members, a top generally parallel to the plane of the supportingsurface on which said chair lounge rests, a forward wall, and a footboard spaced above and generally aligned with said forward wall, thecorresponding side members of said base portion and said movable sectionbein generally coplanar; a pivotal link connecting said movable sectionto said base portion for selective movement of said section from aposition in front of said portion and spaced therefrom, to a position onsaid side members of said base portion and in front of said back; and acushion extending from said headboard, across said top of said movablesection, to the space between said foot board and said forward Wall.

9. A convertible chair lounge of the class described which includes: abase portion open at the top, having spaced side members, a back, abottom extending between said side members, and a headboard spaced aboveand generally aligned with said back; a movable section having spacedside members, a top generally parallel to the plane of the supportingsurface on which said chair lounge rests, a forward wall, and a footboard spaced above and generally aligned with said forward wall, thecorresponding side members of said base portion and said movable sectionbeing generally coplanar; a pivotal link connecting said movable sectionto said base portion for selective movement of said section from anextended position in frontv of said portion and resting on the samesupporting surface as said portion, to a folded position on said portionwith said sides of said base portion supporting said sides of saidmovable section in front of said back; and a cushion extending from saidheadboard, across said top of said movable section, to the space betweensaid foot board and said forward wall.

10. A convertible chair lounge of the class described which includes: abase portion open at the top, having spaced side members, a back, abottom extending between said side members, and a headboard spaced aboveand generally aligned with said back; a movable section having spacedside members, a top, a forward wall, and a foot board spaced above andgenerally aligned with said forward wall, the corresponding side membersof said base portion and said movable section being substantiallycoplanar; a pivotal link connecting said movable section to said baseportion for selective movement of said section from an extended positionin front of said portion to a folded position thereon; and a cushionlocated between said side members of said base portion, extending fromsaid headboard, across the top of said movable section, to saidfootboard, a portion of said cushion hanging freely suspended betweensaid headboard and the rear of said top when said movable section is inits extended Dosition, and said portion of said cushion being folded inthe space between said movable section and said sides and back of saidbase portion when said movable section is in its folded position.

11. A convertible chair lounge of the class described which includes: abase portion open at the top, having spaced side members, a back, abottom extending between said side members, and a headboard spaced aboveand generally aligned with said back; a movable section having spacedside members, a top generally parallel to the plane of the supportingsurface on which chair lounge rests, a forward wall, and a foot boardspaced above and generally aligned with said forward wall, thecorresponding side members of said base portion and said movable sectionbeing generally coplanar; a pivotal link connecting said movable sectionto said base portion for selective movement of said section from anextended position in front of said portion and resting on the samesupporting surface as said portion, to a folded posi tion, on saidportion with said sides of said base portion supporting said sides ofsaid movable section in front of said back; and a cushion locatedbetween the sides of said base portion; extending from said saidheadboard, across the top of said movable section, to said foot board, aportion of said cushion hanging freely suspended between said headboardand the rear of said top When said movable section is in its extendedposition, and said portion of said cushion being folded in the spacebetween said movable section and said sides and back of said baseportion when said movable section is in its folded position.

12. A convertible chair lounge of the class described which includes: abase portionhaving an open top, a horizontal bottom member, and sidemembers projecting upwardly from the end edges of the bottom member; amovable section; means pivotally connecting said movable section withsaid base portion for movement between extended and folded positions;and a cushion located between th sides of said base portion, extendingfrom the top of said base portion, across the top of said movablesection to the forward portion thereof, the portion of said cushionbetween said top of said base portion and the rear of said top of saidmovable section hanging freely suspended between said top of said baseportion and said rear of said top of said movable section when thelatter is in its extended position, and said portion of said cushionbeing folded in the space between said movable section and. the back ofsaid base portion when said movable section is in its folded position.

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